Cageplay Exclusive: Cristiane Cyborg XMMA Bound

I was just speaking with Joey Benoit, the matchmaker for XMMA, to find out what he has coming up for the XMMA organization in 2009. I was surprised to see the list of fighters for his next card XMMA 7, which is appropriately titled Inferno. XMMA is definitely looking to heat up the Canadian MMA scene and position themselves as the country’s #1 promotion.

The biggest announcement was that XMMA has signed Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos (4-0) to a one fight deal with an option. With the biggest women’s MMA fight about to happen in EliteXC between Cyborg and Gina Carano, the organization fell apart, and all the athletes were in limbo. With rumours of Carano heading to the WEC, it is surprising to see Cyborg heading to Canada. Now all we need to do is sit back and wait to see who they sign to take on Santos February 27th at XMMA 7.

It does not end there. XMMA has also announced multi-fight signings with MFC Welterweight Ryan Ford (7-1) and recent MFC Lightweight Simon Marini (6-1). Marini has worked his way up the ranks and defeated UFC vet Alberto Crane at UCW in Winnipeg and shortly afterwards signed with Maximum Fighting Championship. Look for these two to be in XMMA action in the new year.

Joey is hard at work and looking to sign even more talent and as soon as he has the TBA’s filled in, he’ll let Cageplay.com know, so stay tuned.